Development Of Specific Inhibitors Of Parasitic Enzymes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,413.00
Summary
Parasitic diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and american trypanosomiasis (Chaga?s disease) are a significant public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In children, they cause death or impaired growth and in adults debilitating chronic illness. These parasitic infections are increasingly being recognized as responsible for chronic illness in many industrialized countries as well. There are no vaccines currently available ....Parasitic diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and american trypanosomiasis (Chaga?s disease) are a significant public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In children, they cause death or impaired growth and in adults debilitating chronic illness. These parasitic infections are increasingly being recognized as responsible for chronic illness in many industrialized countries as well. There are no vaccines currently available for the treatment of any of the human parasitic infections. In addition, the drugs that are currently used are becoming less effective because of the spread of drug resistant strains. Schistosomiasis, is the second most prevalent parasitic disease, after malaria, and is a leading cause of severe morbidity and death in many parts of the world. The disease is caused by flatworms or blood flukes, the eggs of which indirectly cause damage to the liver and spleen of infected individuals. These parasites feed on human red blood cells and use hemoglobin as their major food source. Our collaborative team (Brindley, Abbenante, Fairlie) has identified two enzymes that these flatworms need to use to eat red blood cells. This project aims to develop compounds that will stop these enzymes from functioning. These compounds will be tested to see whether they can cause the parasites to die of starvation. If successful these new compounds can be used as drugs to treat the disease and the general strategy can be applied to other blood-feeding parasites.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of In Vivo Modulation Of Granulomatous Inflammation In Human Schistosomiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,598.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a serious parasitic disease responsible for up to 300,000 deaths annually. The cause are blood flukes that produce considerable disease severity, resulting from host inflammation against the parasite eggs lodging in the liver, giving rise to fibrosis, liver damage, enlarged spleen and death. The pathogenesis is regulated by molecules called cytokines and this project will unravel the mechanisms that regulate disease progression to the severe forms of chronic schistosomiasis.
Unravelling The Tetraspanin Web In The Schistosome Tegument.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,537.00
Summary
Infection with the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, is a major human ailment affecting almost 200 million people world wide and causing approximately 200 000 deaths per year. Current control efforts rely on anthelminthic drugs but, to sustain their effects, they must be applied for an indefinite period of time due to reinfection. This project will extend recent efforts to develop a vaccine for this organism and decrease the public health burden and mortality associated with infection.
From Maps To Efficient Multi-parasite Control In The Philippines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,121.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths are major parasitic infections in Asia, causing anaemia, poor growth and poor school performance and death in some chronic schistosomiasis cases. We will use maps to demonstrate the geographic distribution of these parasites in the Philippines. We will estimate the impact and costs and benefits of parasite control programmes. This research will help plan more efficient parasite control and reduce the impact of these infections in the Philippines.
Impact Of The Three Gorges Dam On Transmission And Future Control Of Human Schistosomiasis In China
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,420,135.00
Summary
A million Chinese have schistosomiasis or snail fever. When the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is fully operational, considerable environmental-ecological changes will result, increasing spread of this parasitic disease. In a unique study we will assess the impact of the Dam on schistosomiasis, and test and model a series of options for its control. The findings will be important for China and other areas where schistosomiasis occurs and where similar dams are planned or are under way.